PROLOGUE
IT was a Saturday when a group of friends decided to head to the university campus to watch a basketball collegiate friendly match between Primeville University and Maxfield University.
Even though she had rejected Eric’s advances multiple times, he still hadn’t stopped pursuing her. Nevertheless, they had managed to remain good friends.
The group was cheering with pride because their school held a massive lead, leaving the opponent with no chance to catch up. Primeville University won. Even though they knew the game had no bearing on the actual collegiate rankings, they were still thrilled for their school because Primeville had defeated Maxfield—a team that was notoriously difficult to topple from its throne and the current reigning champions.
Before heading home, Crissia told her friends she was going to the ladies’ room. She was on her way there when she spotted a varsity player running towards her. She tried to dodge him, but he still collided with her right shoulder.
He quickly caught her by the back to steady her, causing her face to press against his chest. Based on his green t-shirt, he was a player from Team Maxfield.
When she looked up, she found him staring intently at her.
“Are you okay, Miss?” He asked, his hand still resting on her back.
She couldn’t answer immediately because he wouldn’t break eye contact. When she felt his left arm slowly tightening its grip around her waist, she quickly pushed him away. She didn’t miss the smirk that played on his lips.
The man started walking away, but she called out to him.
“Excuse me.”
“Yes?” He replied, walking back towards her with a teasing smile.
She narrowed her eyes at his demeanor. “Aren’t you even going to say sorry?”
“Miss, I just didn’t see you. I thought I bumped into a dwarf tree. Anyway... sorry, okay?” He looked her up and down before meeting her eyes again, clearly holding back a laugh.
“What did you just say?” She asked, annoyed.
“Miss, I said—”
“You know, Mister, maybe that’s why you lost. Because Maxfield has an arrogant players. It serves you right.”
“So, I’m assuming you’re from Primeville, huh?”
“Well?” She retorted.
“We just let your school win this one. But we’ll make sure we win once the actual collegiate season starts this year. We’re still going to be the champions.” He gave her a wink. “See you again, okay?” He reached out to pinch her nose, but she quickly swatted his hand away.
The man turned his back on her when someone called him from a distance. When he reached the person, he was met with a hug and a kiss on the lips. Before the couple walked away, the woman shot Crissia a look and rolled her eyes.
When Crissia returned to her friends, Eric noticed her scowl. She was also rubbing the shoulder the man had bumped into earlier.
“Hey! What’s wrong?” He asked.
“A Maxfield player bumped into me earlier. He was so arrogant.” She vented.
“Who? Point him out.” Eric said, his voice laced with anger—like a prince protecting his princess.
“You’re crazy. Besides, I probably won’t see him again anyway.”
“But are you okay?” He asked, glancing at her shoulder.
“I’m fine. Let’s go.”
“You know, if you had just said ‘yes’ to me back then, no one would dare do that to you.”
“Whatever. The answer is still ‘no’.”
They both looked back when they heard their friends teasing them. Crissia glared at them, while Eric just stood beside her, laughing.
